Ron Paul, Barney Frank Question How "National Security" and Online Gambling Coincide

A letter from Congressmen Barney Frank and Ron Paul has surfaced requesting details of the trade agreement brokered between the US and the EU related to a decision involving online gambling.  They are questioning why the US government has cited national security as a reason not to reveal anything further of the deal.

Last year the World Trade Organization ruled in favor of tiny Antigua in its case against the United States.  Antigua argued that actions taken by the US Government pertaining to a measure banning some forms of online gambling while protecting the powerful horse racing industry compromised the Caribbean nation's ability to trade freely.  Online gambling had become Antigua's biggest industry over the last decade.

Ron Paul and Barney Frank have contacted Susan Schwab requesting the details of a trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, according to a report on Poker Pages.  Both Congressmen have proposed legalizing Internet gambling, especially online poker. 

"Press reports have indicated that new trade opportunities will be provided in the postal and courier, research and development, storage and warehouse, and testing and analysis sectors, but no dollar amount has been attached to these new concessions, and very few specifics have been provided."

Referencing articles in the media, and attaching a reference to an article that appeared in CQ Weekly describing how the USTR Office denied a request for the details of the agreement by citing national security, Congressmen Frank and Paul asked:

"If, in fact, there are some additional trade concessions that were made that do have national security implications, we request a secure briefing on those issues. However, if this is merely an attempt to avoid revealing the cost of these trade concessions, either because they would be viewed as too costly by the United States or not costly enough by the negotiating countries, this FOIA denial on the grounds of "national security" would appear to be a misuse of the FOIA process."

IN TIME FOR THE APRIL 2 HEARING?

In light of the April 2nd Congressional hearing on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) that was at the heart of the World Trade Organization's later rulings against the United States, Frank and Paul end their letter asking for a speedy reply, saying:

"We need to know how much the United States government has conceded in furtherance of this ill-advised policy, in addition to the losses we have already sustained at the WTO, and we expect a prompt response to this request."

Ron Paul is still running for US President on the Republican ballot.

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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher

Originally published April 1, 2008 9:28 am EST